Detachable handle for beverage cans



April 27, 1954 R. w. K EI TER 2,676,832

DETACHABLE HANDLE FOR BEVERAGE CANS E Filed Oct. 27, 1950 v 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

April 27, 1954 I R. w. KEITER 2,676,832

DETACHABLE HANDLE FOR BEVERAGE CANS Filed Oct. 27, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Apr. 27, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DETACHABLE FORBEVERAGE Robert W. Keiter, Toledo, Ohio Application October 27, 1950,Serial No. 192,408

4 Claims. (01. 294-30) This invention relates to handles, moreparticularly detachable handles of beverage cans.

An object of this invention is to provide a handle which may readily besnapped onto and off from a can and when attached to the can, not onlyprovides a convenient means to use the can as a cup but imparts amug-like appearance to the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a detachable handle ofsuch substantial and novel construction that when attached to a beveragecan, there is no looseness nor play between the can and the handle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a handle which not onlysubstantially grips the can but is locked to the can in ready for-useassembly.

And another object of this invention is to 'provide locking means whichis readily locked and unlocked with a mechanism which blends into theoverall appearance of the handle.

Other objects and advantages of this invention relating to thearrangement, operation and function of the related elements of thestructure, to various details of construction, to combination of partsand to economics of manufacture, will be apparent to those skilled inthe art upon consideration of the following description and appendedclaims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a partof this specification wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a beverage can having one form of thehandle attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is a view on the line II-II, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of thehandle;

Fig. 4 is a view on the line IVIV, Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the showing in Fig. 3.

In current production of beverages, an increasing proportion is beingdistributed in sealed cans. This is particularly true of beers, ales andthe like. A majority of the cans are similar in construction having acylindrical body [0 with ends I 2 pressed slightly inward from the outerextent of the can body. These closures l2 are attached to the body insuch a manner that a circumferential bead I4 is formed about each end ofthe can. Advantage is taken of this standard construction, to detachablyaffix a handle to the can as hereinafter disclosed, whereby a mug-likestructure is formed, so that when one end of the can is perforated orremoved, the contents may 1 2 be drank directly from the can as from acup or mug.

. One form of this handle includes a sheet metal strip fabricated ,onsuitable dies to provide a generally U-shaped element l6 havingintermediate grip forming extent [8 with a pair of legs 20 extendingtherefrom. The grip extent 18 may be channeled to stiffen the materialused for the handle, as well as provide a more comfortable grip. 1

The legs 20 are provided with cam-like termini 22, a desirable profileherein illustrated as including a major curved or arcuate portion 24 anda minor curved or arcuate portion 26 both projected on radii of lesslength than the distance between the outer terminus of the cam and thecenter line or axis of a rivet-like element 28 which pivotally attachesclip element 30 to each leg 20.

These clip elements 30 are provided with transverse arcuate seats 32,which seats are configured to nest over the beads l4.

To mount the handle on a can, the clips 36 are swung to an approximateright angular position relatively to the legs 20. The materialcomprising the element l6 being somewhat flexible allows the terminalportions of the legs 20 to be spread and the clips positioned to clampor grip the can between the seats 32. Then the element [6 is swung tobring the legs 20 into alignment with the clips 30. This causes the camsto firmly engage the can body I0 adjacent the seats 32 and lock thehandle to the can. This locking is accomplished by firmly fixing thebeads 14 within the seats 32. An overall rigid mug-like structureresults.

Removal of the handle from a can is obvious, being accomplished by aswing of the grip portion and an expansion between the clips.

The major cam portion 24 allows an easy approach to the locking positionwhile the minor cam portion resists a swing of the handle beyond properalignment between the legs 20 and the clips 30.

The invention may be modified, as for example, the constructiondisclosed in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, wherein the handle comprises an element34 of a generally overall U-shape with a grip portion 36 and legs 38terminating in bead engaging seats 40.

The locking element comprises a second U shaped element 42 preferablynested within the The locking element has its cam portions 46 cooperatewith the seats 40 in the same manner as hereinbefore described, but inthis type, both locks are simultaneously actuated by swinging the innerelement 42 relatively to the outer element 34.

The element 42 is formed from narrower but thicker stock than thatemployed for the fabrication of the member 34 and when in lockingposition, the parts are so nested as to form a comfortable grip whichinsures locking until positively actuated for release.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of thepresent invention is intended to disclose an embodiment thereof to thoseskilled in the art, but that the invention 'isnot to be construed aslimited in its application to the details of construction andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since theinvention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various wayswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. The language used inthe specification relating to the operation andfunction of the elementsof the invention is employed for purposes of description and not oflimitation, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims beyond the requirements of the prior art.

What is claimed and is desired to secure by United States LettersPatent:

1. A detachable handle for a beverage can comprising a first generallyU-shaped flexible member including a grip incorporating an intermediateextent with legs therefrom terminating in a pair of opposing seats, saidseats adapted to en gage opposite outer edges of the can for grippingsaid can therebetween, and a second U- shaped member nested withinsaidfirst U-shaped member and pivotally attached to saidmember the innerelement cam portions to engage said can when the elements approachnested relationship to lock said can in said seats.

4. A. detachable handle for a can of the type having peripherally beadededges, said handle embodying a pair of U-shaped elements coaxiallypivotably attached together adjacent their terminitone of said elementsnested within the other,

the inner element having its portions beyond the pivotable connectionsprovide can engaging termini and the "other element having its portionsbeyond the pivotable connection terminating in bead engaging hooks, saidtermini coacting to lock the can therebetween when said elements aredisposed in nested relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 779,297 Love et al. Jan. 3, 1905 978,816 Blackburn et al.Dem-'13, 1910 1,688,165 Tehel Oct. 16, 1928 Oehler Mar. 8, 2,010,317Olson Aug. 6, 1935 2,128,466 Machotka Aug. 30, 1938 2,445,265 :Hargraveet al. July 13, 1948

